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ginac

Native Oregonian, Ex-Expatriate, Mostly Vegan, writing from Northern Virginia.

I have heard that if you want to be a writer, then write. I have a book in me. It's a great one. This blog is my path to that book.

Interests: Trekking, books, music, triathlons, running races, family, saving the planet, home-schooling, outdoors, food.

Recent Activity

Squirrels and Perception.

I was trail running yesterday, ponytail whipping behind me, ear buds playing something offensive to the sensibilities of children and the elderly. Without warning, a squirrel darted onto the path. I had to stop short so that I would not kick it. I laughed at the involuntary squeal that had... Continue reading

Posted Feb 22, 2013 at Three for Gina

1

Books and Irritability

Unpacking box eleven of books, and I am totally fired up. Angry at myself: Why do I keep gardening magazines, only to buy new ones with an identical look and the same advice on making the most of my perennials? Why, oh why, do I have a book titled Amazing... Continue reading

Posted Sep 29, 2012 at Three for Gina

1

I don't drink soda. I encourage my children to restrict themselves to one sweet drink daily. Encourage here means I forbid them upon penalty of disinheritance and loss of favorite child status to drink more than one juice a day. They may have a soda on Saturday. I can also... Continue reading

Posted Jul 26, 2012 at Three for Gina

2

While waiting in a long waffle line in the breakfast room of our hotel, I snarked that there are back-ups everywhere in Northern Virginia, even at the waffle grill. A pretty woman laughed, tossed her hair and said "Welcome to D.C." I laughed along, but thought to myself that it... Continue reading

Posted Jul 16, 2012 at Three for Gina

1

ginac is now following Michelle Hamm Black

Jul 15, 2012

Running in Old Town Alexandria.

Primarily a trail runner, I am a joyful convert to city running. We are on Duke Street in Old Town Alexandria. I run down Duke, and try to pace myself with the traffic flow. I call this Urban Intervals. It really gets the blood flowing when cars are turning into... Continue reading

Posted Jun 25, 2012 at Three for Gina

3

The Breakfast Room.

Two days ago, my family and I moved into a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. This will be our home base during the next weeks of house and neighborhood hunting. My daughters and I awoke early on the first morning, and went down to the complimentary breakfast buffet. I looked around... Continue reading

Posted Jun 18, 2012 at Three for Gina

2

Cute Things Germans Do.

I have spent a fair amount of time poking fun at the German people in this blog. There are however, German habits that I find quite charming. Most Germans eat ice cream in a cone. Going out for an ice cream, or 'Eis,' is not uniquely German. All European countries... Continue reading

Posted Jun 12, 2012 at Three for Gina

6

Football in Germany.

I will miss being in Germany during football championships. People get crazy obsessed. Nearly every restaurant has a giant television and a surround sound system installed for all of the games. The ones that do not, stand empty. Any patron found in an establishment lacking a t.v. is branded, at... Continue reading

Posted Jun 11, 2012 at Three for Gina

2

We are in the hotel now. Moving, after years and years in Germany, back to the United States. Although American, my almost seven year old son knows nothing about life in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I have been guiding him in ways that... Continue reading

Posted May 27, 2012 at Three for Gina

3

Im Ziel scheint die Sonne

During a very wet half marathon two weekends ago, I spotted a sign held by a soggy spectator. Im Ziel scheint die Sonne. The sun shines at the finish line. At the time, I thought it cute. Lately, it has become my mantra. 15,000 pounds of household goods, three children,... Continue reading

Posted May 14, 2012 at Three for Gina

5

Mother's Day and Low Expectations

As a young mother, I strove to become the ideal maternal figure. Marion Cunningham, Caroline Ingalls, or even Duchess from the Aristocats. I aimed to speak softly, and call them darlings. To tenderly care for them; sacrifice all to see them tucked into a bed smelling of lavender every night,... Continue reading

Posted May 12, 2012 at Three for Gina

3

Did you see Owen Wilson's movie about a guy who secures a "Hall Pass" to hook up with other women for the week his wife is out of town? It's a goofy lesson in love and being careful with what you wish for. I recently passed the pre-packaged deli section... Continue reading

Posted May 1, 2012 at Three for Gina

3

A few years ago, we travelled to the Scottish Highlands in the middle of a wet July. There were tiny flies everywhere during the hours of sun-up and sun-down. Locust quantities, too small to swat. We purposefully smoked the fire hoping to stay outside and enjoy the stunning scenery. We... Continue reading

Posted Apr 12, 2012 at Three for Gina

1

Ode to Wiesbaden

While waiting for my daughter to finish her two hour gymnastics class, I have found myself walking through Wiesbaden in the dark. Walking itself feels illicit. Shouldn't I be running, timing myself for some upcoming race? The inky evening offers me a voyeur's view of the city's inhabitants. Dull apartments... Continue reading

Posted Apr 9, 2012 at Three for Gina

7

Never Say Never.

George H.W. Bush recently endorsed Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee for president. Years ago, when George H.W. Bush was in Congress, he was a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood; was even nicknamed Rubbers. He now throws his hat in with a man who vows to get rid of Planned... Continue reading

Posted Mar 30, 2012 at Three for Gina

3

My Feet are Pretty;That's a Bad Thing.

Runners have beat up feet. I do not have delicately boned feet. At their best, my feet are Fred Flintstone feet clones. When I am training, they are downright ugly. Even someone with the most severe of foot fetishes would avert his eyes. Five weeks ago, I hit the forest... Continue reading

Posted Mar 18, 2012 at Three for Gina

1

It's the Little Things.

When moving to another continent, one expects to encounter a multitude of differences: language, dress, architecture and customs. I knew that I would need to brush up on the metric system, and read a few books on the culture when we decided to relocate from the U.S. to Germany. Unexpected,... Continue reading

Posted Feb 12, 2012 at Three for Gina

1

Veganism-Gimme Some New Religion.

When I decided to go vegan, I was caught off-guard by the great offense I would give to those around me. Rather than take the news of my animal-free diet as another "way out there" Gina endeavor, friends reacted to the news as if I had switched religions. The idea... Continue reading

Posted Jan 25, 2012 at Three for Gina

2

ginac is now following Steve Martin

Jan 24, 2012

The Art of Greeting

Europeans, in general, greet one another with a kiss on each cheek. I live in Germany, and if I have not shared two or more beers with someone, I extend my hand in greeting. I do not know what I will do when I move to Virginia in the spring.... Continue reading

Posted Jan 23, 2012 at Three for Gina

2

How Do People Find the Time?

I work out, but I don't stretch. I don't bring my bike inside until I hear the thunder clap, or the sound of would-be thieves outside my door. I stopped hand washing my sport bras about four years ago. I buy organic and use that as an excuse to wash... Continue reading

Posted Jan 18, 2012 at Three for Gina

1

I will try to stay up all night.

I read this in Kathy Freston's The Veganist. The following is Paul Hawken, environmental journalist, speaking to students from the University of Portland. Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course.... Continue reading

Posted Jan 8, 2012 at Three for Gina

2

Extremely Moderate

New Year's resolutions suit my extreme nature. Easier to universally ban chips and salsa than to just have a few nibbles. Surviving for a year solely on universe dew would prove my superhuman ability to deny myself, but is not a very healthy lifestyle. The word moderate has always smacked... Continue reading

Posted Jan 4, 2012 at Three for Gina

0

The Scrooge Goes to Disneyland.

My family and I stood at the entrance of Euro Disney. My twelve year old said "I never thought I would actually be here." Me neither. Not because it was a dream realized, but because I had not seen myself planning a trip to Disney, any more than I had... Continue reading

Posted Dec 31, 2011 at Three for Gina

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